On New Year’s Eve 2005, we lost Mike Martin, a friend, father and son who made a real difference in the lives of his friends and family and in the community he was proud to call home. During the days that followed the tragic accident, many people shared treasured stories of Mike and asked what they could do to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. We are writing now to share the details of the Michael Martin Community Fund, a fund that his parents and friends have created to honor and celebrate Mike’s memory by benefiting those organizations and causes that were so important to him. Mike loved Crested Butte and the greater Gunnison Valley and was active in many community organizations. Mike was passionate about outdoor activities and the preservation of our unique community. He was also a true lover of the arts, particularly music. While we cannot possibly replace Mike’s vitality and energy for the causes he cared about, the Michael Martin Community Fund will celebrate his life by funding non-profit organizations benefiting the programs and people he loved—the outdoors, the arts and the greater Gunnison Valley community. We hope that we can try to fill some of the void that Mike’s loss created in the communities he quietly and tirelessly worked to support and nurture. The Michael Martin Community Fund has been established as an Advised Fund through The Denver Foundation, an umbrella foundation that will help us administer and manage the fund. We hope to raise enough funds to make a real difference in the same way that Mike did. At the outset this will be a non-endowed fund, with the proceeds being distributed to various causes. However, our goal is to raise enough money to create an endowed fund benefiting these causes for years to come but we can only do this with your support. If you would like to remember Mike by making a contribution, please send your donations made out to “The Michael Martin Community Fund” care of the Denver Foundation, 950 South Cherry Street Suite 200, Denver, Colorado 80246. Since grants from this fund will be made only to qualified non-profit organizations your donation is tax deductible. You will receive a letter of acknowledgement and tax receipt from the Denver Foundation. Thank you so much for joining with us to build a legacy celebrating Mike’s life. Please don’t hesitate to contact one of us if you have questions. Peter Daniels, Dirk Tyler, and Ruth Ann Keene Send and email and we'll forward it to the proper people.